Full-Surface Laser Resurfacing

Turn Back the Clock With Laser Resurfacing

Full-surface ablative laser resurfacing treatments can dramatically improve fine lines, tighten “crepey” skin, and remove sun damage.

Many people have a single facial area that’s aging their face, such as under the eyes or around the mouth. Full-field resurfacing in just that one area can sometimes take 10 years off their appearance.

 

The Difference Between Full-Surface Ablative Laser Resurfacing and Fractionated Ablative Laser Resurfacing

The difference between full-surface ablative resurfacing and fractionated laser resurfacing is that full-surface laser resurfacing vaporizes a customized depth of skin over the entire treated area versus just a percentage. Your body replaces the vaporized skin with smooth, tighter, younger skin. Full-surface laser resurfacing with an erbium laser has fewer risks of complications than with a CO2 laser but more than a fractionated ablative laser treatment. 

Aggressive treatments like full-surface laser resurfacing, it must be done by a skilled clinician experienced with the treatment. Dr. Elliott has done over 1,100 laser resurfacing treatments since 2007 and is a physician trainer for Cutera Lasers. With her background in emergency and trauma medicine, she’s comfortable managing any potential complications of any esthetic treatment.

Full-field resurfacing is only done on the face and is often combined with fractionated ablative laser resurfacing to other areas. 

What to Expect with Full-Surface Laser Resurfacing

If it’s determined that you’re a good candidate for full-field laser resurfacing, provide us with your pharmacy phone number and we’ll call in prescriptions for anti-viral and pain medicine so that you don’t have to go to a pharmacy after your treatment. Depending on the area of the face treated, anesthesia may consist of a combination of topical or injected anesthetic, nitrous oxide, and an anti-anxiety medication.  Treatments may take from thirty to sixty minutes to perform.

When the procedure is finished, the treated area feels very hot for about the first half hour. We apply cold dressings until the areas cool down, and then a soothing, moisturizing dressing is applied before you leave. The treated area will feel sunburned and uncomfortable for the first few days and will weep some yellowish fluid until a new layer of skin is produced. The number of days of social downtime depends on the area treated.  Makeup to hide the redness can usually be worn in about a week when the eyes are treated but it may take two weeks for treatments around the mouth. We’ll provide you with all the post-treatment supplies you need, including a mild cleanser, laser balm, and even a disposable pillowcase. 

Redness in the treated areas usually lasts for a few weeks and rarely months, depending on the depth of treatment and your skin type. Post-resurfacing redness tends to last longest in people with very fair complexions. Green-tinted concealers work to conceal redness best and can be used as soon as the thick moisturizer is no longer needed.

Most patients can return to work and social activities about 6 days after full-field laser resurfacing around the eyes. Because the skin around the mouth is thicker than the eyes, it can take up to ten days of social downtime. Strict sun protection is necessary for at least 3 months after facial laser resurfacing. Our estheticians will provide you with at-home skin care recommendations to help maintain your results indefinitely.

How Long Do the Results of Full-Surface Laser Resurfacing Last?

When old skin has been replaced with new skin, it’s like turning back the clock. The clock starts again with skin that looks younger, aging at the same rate. The improvement seen lasts for several years, if not more.

Prices for full-field laser resurfacing range from $945 for the eyes to $1,590 for the full face.

If you’re interested in learning more about your best treatment options,  schedule a free consultation online or call 727-571-1923.